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Why do organisms in the same species have different traits? The answer to this
question involves tracing a causal chain from differences in traits back to differences in
protein molecules and then back to differences in genes and to the random
combinations of genes that result from sexual reproduction. Random mutations during
reproduction can also affect the genes that an offspring inherits. Differences in
experience or environment can also affect traits, without causing changes to
genes.
Mutations
A mutation is a random change to a gene. Most mutations, in fact, occur in DNA that
is not in a gene (does not code for proteins) and, therefore, are likely to have little or no
effect on traits. Even when a mutation occurs in a gene, if the cell that is mutated is a
nonreproductive cell, it may have little effect overall. However, cancer is a case in which
mutations in a few cells can lead to runaway growth of those cells with the mutation.